"Shoulds vs. Shouldn'ts!"

The next time you: think about your job/career, assess your relationships, look in the mirror, observe your children and other aspects of your life – accept and celebrate whatever you observe. Why? You are the creator of the results you behold! At various times in my life I do this but I am not always pleased with my results.

For instance, I have had jobs I dreaded, strained and difficult relationships, wondered who the mirror was reflecting, squandered money and resources, etc. Yet, these were my results which I had to live with.

Recently after a morning workout, I realized why I produce these unpleasing outcomes.

One word shouldn’t!

Standing on the scale, peering down at the number and witnessing the appearance of calf muscles which heretofore had gone missing, filled me with inspiration. Suddenly an epiphany rolled across my mental screen – Why did you ever stop exercising? Answer: The shouldn’ts had become my priority. I shouldn’t overeat. I shouldn’t avoid exercise. I shouldn’t eat unhealthy foods. I shouldn’t gain weight. I realized the shouldn’ts had been robbing me of my physical, emotional and spiritual fitness. 

I had given control to the shouldn’ts even though they were out of alignment with what I said I wanted for myself. . .loss of weight, healthy medical report and a positive body image.  

Standing on that scale I decided to maintain commitment to the shoulds. I should exercise for 30-45 minutes at least 3 days a week, I should eat healthy food, I should lose weight, I should sleep 6-8 hours.

Achievement of our goals will be determined by our choices: Shouldn’t vs. Should!

None of us want:  unhealthy relationships, to be overweight, miserable jobs, spiritual or financial brokenness but sometimes this is where we find ourselves.  When this becomes our status, we only need to look at our results and begin to make adjustments. No need to point fingers or complain. Just realize we have made the shouldn’ts our focus.

Decide right now that you will attain your goals and dreams!  Make a list of the shoulds your goals and dreams require and a list of the shouldn’ts that detour you from those goals and dreams. Now develop a singular focus on the shoulds! You will begin experiencing incremental changes in your outcomes – maybe you’ll find a job that inspires you, perhaps you will begin developing relationships with depth, you might find enjoyment in exercising, you may discover the security that comes with saving money and generosity. 

Your choice of shouldn’ts or shoulds will determine the levels of joy and peace you will bring into your life and the lives of others.

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INSPIRED BY LOVE, 

Pastor Marcus